The Las Vegas Strip’s Resorts World Las Vegas has been given a week-long extension to reply to an official complaint from the Nevada Gaming Control Board that alleges money laundering at the casino.
Resorts World, owned and operated by Malaysian corporation Genting Group, now has until December 9 to file its legal response to the allegations.
The Nevada gambling regulator’s complaint runs 31 pages. It alleges that Resorts World allowed various individuals convicted or suspected of running illegal bookmaking operations to gamble millions at the casino without doing due checks.
Prior to the Gaming Control Board allegations, there was a wide ranging federal investigation into links between Resorts World and various illegal, California-based bookmakers.
That included Matt Bowyer, the illegal bookie who profited from the $16 million that was stolen from baseball star Shohei Ohtani by his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. The scandal also resulted in the firing and a criminal conviction for former Resorts World CEO Scott Sibella.
Resorts World’s parent company, Genting, recently reported its Q3 financials, including Resorts World Las Vegas, and it wasn’t a good look for the troubled Sin City casino resort.
The Complaint
The NGCB filed the complaint against Resorts World Las Vegas and Genting in August. The document details 12 counts of alleged money laundering violations against the casino resort. Most of them are related to the illegal California bookmakers already known to be involved in the federal investigations.
“Resorts World … allowed a culture that welcomed certain individuals with suspected or actual ties to illegal bookmaking, histories of federal felony convictions related to illegal gambling businesses, and ties to organized crime,” the NGCB said.
We have previously reported on the criticisms of the NGCB’s late arrival to the party on this investigation.
The regulator is now taking action. However, privacy advocates have pointed out that in 2023, the NGCB actually looked into another money laundering case against Sibella that was linked to now-convicted Californian bookie Wayne Nix. But it cleared him.
The NGCB has now filed its own separate complaint against Sibella. It could see him lose his Nevada Gaming License. The regulator is also instigating proceedings against the wife of Matt Bowyer, the bookmaker who recently filed a guilty plea in his related case.
That complaint says Nicole Bowyer facilitated her husband’s gambling while working as an agent for Resorts World, despite knowing the illegal source of his income.
Resorts World could deny the allegations and face a lengthy legal battle. It could offer a settlement, which would no doubt be up to eight figures. Or it could confess culpability and accept a large fine, which would likely be in a similar range.
It is within the power of the NGCB to revoke Resorts World’s Nevada Gaming license, given the seriousness of the allegations. But insiders to negotiations told local media this week that the regulator was unlikely to pursue such a punishment.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
